BREAKING NEWS ~ Ukrainian high court won’t rule on election Monday News
BREAKING NEWS ~ Ukrainian high court won’t rule on election Monday

[JURIST] AP is reporting that the Ukrainian Supreme Court justices have said that the court will not reach a decision Monday on the validity of the presidential election results.

9:22 AM ET – The Ukrainian Supreme Court Monday heard opposition candidate Viktor Yushchenko's appeal against the official poll results in Ukraine's presidential elections. Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych was declared the winner with 49.46% of the vote (Yushchenko received 46.61%), but the court suspended the results last week while it considered claims of massive fraud in the elections. The court said Monday that it would not come to a decision Monday, allowing more time for Yanukovych's lawyers to study evidence presented by the opposition. While the court cannot invalidate the whole election, it could order a partial or full recount. BBC News has more and background on the court battle.

9:46 AM ET – AP is reporting that Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych has said that he would support another presidential vote if allegations of fraud are proven.

12:35 PM ET – BBC News is reporting that Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma has backed new elections as a way out of the poll fraud dispute. A brief story is here.

THIS DAY @ LAW

38 Santee Sioux hanged by US for rebellion

On December 26, 1862, 38 Santee Sioux men were hanged in a mass execution for their roles in a rebellion against US authorities in Minnesota which left hundreds dead and made refugees of some 40,000 white settlers. Government annuities promised under a treaty with the Sioux had failed to arrive on schedule and credit for purchases was not advanced in the meantime, threatening the tribe with starvation. The Santee Sioux Tribe's members were deported first to South Dakota and ultimately to Nebraska, where they remain today. Learn more about the 1862 Minnesota Sioux Rebellion.

Louis XVI put on trial during French Revolution

On December 26, 1792, Romain de Sèze, a defense attorney for deposed King Louis XVI, presented a defense of his client. The former King was on trial before a French Revolutionary court on thirty-three charges, including treason and other crimes against the state. He was convicted on January 15, 1793 executed by guillotine on the following January 21.